City Council Minutes 08-13-2001MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
August 13, 2001 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Roger Belsaas, Roger Carlson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf and Bruce Thielen.
Members Absent: None.
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Belsaas called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve the minutes of the July 23, 2001 regular Council meeting.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 23, 2001
REGULAR MEETING. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
The following items were added to the agenda: 1) Street closing - CSAH 75 Project; 2) River
Mill 6`" Addition; 3) Landscaping plan - Klein Farms Estates 3rd and 4) Remnant parcel - Chelsea
Road.
4. Citizens comments/petitions, requests and complaints.
John Kautza, a resident in the Wildwood Ridge Addition, spoke to the Council about the quality
of homes that were being built in the development citing as an example the pre -fab home that
was brought in a few weeks ago. Bruce Thielen replied that the Council was invited to a
meeting of the homeowners in that area to discuss the same issue. The Council pointed out that
since the home met all the building code requirements, the City could not prevent it from being
constructed. If the home did not meet the covenants of the development then that was a matter
between the homeowners and the developer. Mr. Kautza stated that there are different covenants
in place for the different phases of this development. Mayor Belsaas stated that the Council is
aware of the situation but he isn't sure what can be done about it. The City is looking at making
changes to the ordinance that might address some of these concerns and it was noted that a
workshop has been scheduled with the Planning Commission for September 18, 2001. Jeff
O'Neill indicated that at their last meeting the Planning Commission had discussed setting up a
zoning district that is geared for step up housing. Their concern is that higher amenity land is
being gobbled up by entry level homes. The Council emphasized that while the City may not be
able to restrict a certain type of home from coming in, changes in the ordinance may confine
them to certain zoning districts.
Council Minutes - 8/13/01
5. Consent Agenda.
A. Consideration of ratifying new hires for Monticello Community Center.
Recommendation: Ratify the hiring of the part-time employees for the Monticello
Community Center as identified.
B. Consideration of approving a temporary on -sale liquor license - St. Henry's Fall Festival.
Recommendation: Approve the issuance of a temporary on -sale liquor license to the
Church of St. Henry's for their fall festival on September 15th and 16th.
C. Consideration of approving a request for a charitable gambling license - St. Henry's Fall
Festival. Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the State Gambling Control
Board to issue the exempt charitable gambling license to St. Henry's Church for their fall
festival on September 15th and 16th. Res. No. 2001-53.
D. Consideration of transfer of off -sale non -intoxicating liquor license for 1547 East Broadway
and 1200 South Highway 25. Recommendation: Approve the transfer of the off -sale non -
intoxicating liquor license for 1547 East Broadway and 1200 South Highway 25 to Twin
Cities Avanti Stores, LLC.
E. Consideration of approval of a carnival license for Burger King. Recommendation:
Approve a license for carnival operations on the Burger King property for August 23-26,
2001.
F. Consideration of accepting six month liquor store financial report. Recommendation:
Accept the six month financial report as presented.
G. Consideration of a preliminary plat and an amendment to the existing planned unit
development. Applicant: Front Porch Associates. Recommendation: No. 1: To adopt the
preliminary plat based on the following findings:
A. The subject property is consistent with the dimensional and size standards for the properties in the R-2 District.
B. The proposed use is consistent with the Proposed Land Use Map included in the City's Comprehensive Plan as
well as the surrounding land uses.
Approval of the preliminary plat is conditioned upon the applicant submitting and receiving
approval of detailed landscape, grading, drainage and utility plans. No. 2: To approve an
amendment to the existing conditional use permit/planned unit development (CUP/PUD)
based on the following findings:
A. The application is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
B. The proposed use is consistent with the character, design, and density of the surrounding uses.
C. The proposed use should not tend to depreciate the surrounding area.
Approval of the CUP/PUD is conditioned upon the applicant receiving approval of a five
foot side yard setback variance.
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H. Consideration of an amendment to a planned unit development in the PZM Zoning District
to permit the expansion of parking lot facilities. Applicant: Monticello -Big Lake
Community Hospital District. Recommendation: Motion to approve the PUD amendment
with the following conditions:
A. Temporary parking in the lower area be removed and re -landscaped.
B. Access to Dayton Street be redesigned to permit right -turn -in, left -turn -out traffic only, discouraging traffic from
using River Street.
C. Installation of sidewalk on Broadway along the full length of the Hospital District property.
D. Establishment of lighting in compliance with City ordinance.
E. Establishment of a landscaping plan acceptable to the City Planner.
I. Consideration of a request for a conditional use permit allowing a reduction in the standard
design requirements for stall aisle and driveway design. Applicant: Integrated Recycling
Technologies, Inc. Recommendation: Move to grant a conditional use permit to allow a
reduction in the stall aisle and driveway design requirements for surfacing, curb and
landscaping subject to the following conditions:
A. Final approval of parking and driveway drainage plans associated with conditional use permit request shall be
provided in writing by the City Engineer.
B. No open or outdoor storage shall be allowed on the property without first obtaining separate approval from the
City.
C. Parking and drive perimeter shall not extend closer than 20 feet to the property lines of any adjoining parcel.
D. At such time that routine use by the public is observed, the drive area shall be paved.
E. This conditional use permit shall be reviewed on an annual basis and shall be subject to renewal after 5 years.
J. Consideration of a request for an amendment to the sign ordinance allowing over -hanging
signs not exceeding 6 square feet on Walnut Street. Recommendation: Moved to adopt
the ordinance amendment allowing projecting wall signs in the CCD District. Ord. Am.
#363.
K. Consideration of a request to extend the Heartland Express fixed deviated route another 60
days. Recommendation: Move to approve a 60 day extension to the fixed deviated route
trial period.
L&M Consideration of approval of contract with Ray Glunz Construction for burials at Riverside
Cemetery. Recommendation: Approve a 3 year contract with Ray Glunz Construction of
Buffalo, Minnesota, for burials at Riverside Cemetery and increase the burial rates from
$375 to $400 for weekday burials and increasing the rates from $405 to $430 for weekend
burials.
N. Consideration of authorizing funds for development of a landscape plan for the Walnut
Street Plaza. Recommendation: Move to approve the funds to create a concept design for
the Walnut Street Plaza of the Community Center, not to exceed $1,000.
Bruce Thielen asked that agenda items #14, 2001 Sealcoating Project bids and #16, bids for the
Chestnut Street lift station be included as part of the consent agenda. Brian Stumpf asked that
item #5I be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
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Council Minutes - 8/13/01
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA. BRIAN
STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Added Item:
CSAH 75 Project - Closing off of Streets: Rory Zitur, a business owner on Linn Street and Broadway
spoke to the Council regarding the CSAR 75 improvement project. His concern was about closing off
access to Linn Street. He cited concern about the lack of resident input on the project. In talking with the
engineers from WSB, he noted that although the Council had directed them at the last meeting to look at
alternatives for Linn Street, they had done nothing yet. He was concerned that by the City approving the
preliminary design layout, the County would proceed with the design of the project without the issue of
Linn Street being resolved. Mayor Belsaas pointed out that the design would be coming back to the
Council for approval. Mr. Zitur also questioned why Linn Street was being closed and not Maple Street.
He felt that the traffic from Linn Street would end up being routed down Maple Street which is a
residential street. He also expressed his concern that allowing motorists to make U-turns in this area
would be more hazardous than allowing the existing traffic patterns to continue. Mr. Zitur questioned the
traffic count information noting that the counts were taken at commuter rush hours while most of the
traffic at the post office occurred between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reiterating his concerns about the project
being pushed through without adequate input from the residents, Mr. Zitur presented his final concern
which was the assessment policy for this project and whether the residents would have an opportunity to
debate the assessment policy. He stated that his business would not benefit by the improvements to
CSAR 75. Mr. Zitur asked if the engineers had a deadline when they would be bringing this back to the
Council as he felt it was essential to get the Linn Street issue resolved before plans were approved by the
County Commissioners.
Public Works Director, John Simola, indicated that the staff has been researching alternatives for
accessing the post office and have met with the county about traffic counts. Mayor Belsaas suggested
that when the traffic counts were done they should also look at doing traffic counts on Palm Street.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
On item #5I Brian Stumpf questioned whether the applicant had indicated a time frame in which
the expansion would take place. Clint Herbst stated that the applicant indicated that the expansion
would take place within five years and if it has not, then the area currently proposed to be left as
gravel area would be paved.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO GRANT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
REDUCTION IN THE STALL AISLE AND DRIVEWAY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR
SURFACING, CURBING AND LANDSCAPING SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS NOTED
IN EXHIBIT Z. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
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Council Minutes - 8/13/01
7. Public Hearing - Consideration of adoption of an assessment roll for Cedar Street
Improvement Project No. 2000-18C.
Andy Brotzler from WSB & Associates presented to the Council the assessment roll information
based on the bids received and reviewed the calculations. Under Option #1 in which the City
would pick up approximately 80% of the street reconstruction costs, the City's share of the of the
total project cost would be $43,413 or 22% of the total project cost. The engineer noted that with
this project, because there were new improvements and not just reconstruction costs, the City's
overall share of the total cost was much lower than it will be in other reconstruction projects.
Mayor Belsaas stated that he didn't have a problem with the City picking up 25% of the project
cost. Public Works Director, John Simola cautioned that on the City's core streets if the City
picked up 25%, they might not be able to come up with the 20% assessment that is necessary for
the City to issue bonds. The question was also raised if any precedent would be set or if the City
could vary between picking up 20% or 25% of the cost depending on the project.
Mayor Belsaas then opened the public hearing. Dan Mielke spoke stating he had no problem with
the assessment amounts proposed however, he did have a question on the interest rate on the
assessment. The individual assessment notice contained an interest rate of 6 1/4% but he was
told that current bond sales are carrying an interest rate of 4% and if the City added 1 %2 % to that,
the interest rate would be 5 %2 % not 6 1/4%. City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller explained that
the interest rate in the public hearing notice was arrived at by adding 1 !/2% to the interest rate of
the City's latest bond sale. The Council discussed whether to use the interest rate of the City's
most recent bond sale plus 1 V2% or whether to use current bond sale rates plus 1 V2%.
Mayor Belsaas then closed the public hearing.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT
ROLL FOR THE CEDAR STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT NO. 2000-18C IN THE
AMOUNT OF $225,407 WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE STAFF LOOK AT RECENT
BOND SALES AND SET AN INTEREST RATE FOR THE ASSESSMENT ROLL
ACCORDINGLY. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. Res. No. 2001-54
8. Consideration of accepting bids and awarding contract Cedar Street Improvement
Project No. 2000-18C and 7" Street Improvement Project No. 201-7C.
The City Engineer reviewed the bid tabulations for the projects.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR THE CEDAR STREET
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 2000-18C AND THE 7TH STREET EAST IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 2001-7C TO BAUERLY BROTHERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $552,078.60
SUBJECT TO THE CITY RECEIVING NO ASSESSMENT APPEALS ON THE CEDAR
STREET ASSESSMENT. BRUCE THIELEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Res. No. 2001-55
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At this point the Council took a short recess and then re -convened.
9. Consideration of accepting bids for sanitary sewer and water main relocation for the Mielke
Development Project No. 2001-09C.
The City Engineer presented the bid tabulation for this project. The bid results were presented to
the developer and although they were slightly higher than the engineer's estimate the developer
was acceptable to the amount. Not including indirect costs, the City's share of the project would
be $26,567.45 and the developer's share would be $85,723.05.
Since the bids came in higher than the engineer's estimate, the bids could have been rejected and
the project rebid in the spring. However that would require the stubbing of utilities out of the
Cedar Street right-of-way. Since the developer was agreeable to the cost figures, it was
recommended that the Council award the bid.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE
SANITARY SEWER AND WATER MAIN RELOCATION PROJECT FOR THE MIELKE
DEVELOPMENT, PROJECT NO. 2001-09C TO SCHLUENDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE
AMOUNT OF $113,315.50. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Res. No. 2001-56
10. Presentation by Don Hemming requesting City support for River Country Bike Trail, a
regional trail concept.
Don Hemming and Luann Fischer from the River Country Bike Trail Group spoke to the Council
regarding a regional bike trail. Mr. Hemming noted the segments of trail that are being planned
and constructed in Stearns County. They are proposing to design a bike trail segment extending
from Clearwater to Monticello and they are asking Council support of the proposal. Mr.
Hemming noted that their group has been working with Wright County Park Superintendent and
the head of the Lake Maria State Park in an effort to develop the trail design and secure local
support for the project. At the present time the group is working on grant applications to secure
funding for development of the concept plan. The Council noted that the Monticello Parks
Commission while they supported the concept could not commit funds to the project. Don
Hemming stated although they would prefer to use the old railroad right-of-way for the trail, the
county had indicated they could use the right-of-way of CSAH 75. Brian Stumpf asked how the
bike trail would affect the snowmobile trail along CSAH 75. Mr. Hemming indicated that the
snowmobile groups had not indicated opposition to a bike trail being constructed. However, since
the bike trail is only at a concept stage it is not easy to say how it will impact the snowmobile trail.
Bruce Thielen indicated that this would be another piece in a trail system that could eventually run
from Fergus Falls to Monticello.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE
CONCEPT OF A BIKE TRAIL FROM CLEARWATER TO MONTICELLO. CLINT HERBST
SECONDED THE MOTION. BRIAN STUMPF STATED HIS SUPPORT OF THE PLAN AS
LONG AS THE WRIGHT COUNTY SNOWMOBILE GROUP WAS INVOLVED AND IS IN
AGREEMENT WITH THE CONCEPT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Council Minutes - 8/13/01
Don Hemming noted that there will be a meeting on the trail on Thursday, September 20, 2001 at
7 p.m. at the Clearwater Legion. Bruce Thielen and Brian Stumpf will try to attend.
11. Pulled from the agenda.
12. Consideration of granting an increase to the individual pension for Volunteer Firefighter
Relief Association members.
Brian Stumpf stated he is abstaining from voting on this item as he is a vested member of the relief
association. Rick Wolfsteller briefly reviewed the agenda item noting that unless interest income
earnings fell below 3% the pension increase would not require a City contribution.
CLINT HERBST MOVED TO GRANT AN INCREASE TO THE INDIVIDUAL PENSION FOR
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RELIEF ASSOCIATION MEMBERS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$29175 PER YEAR. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
WITH BRIAN STUMPF ABSTAINING.
13. Consideration to approve the recommendation of the HRA to waive the parking deficiency
fee associated with the redevelopment of the northerly_ portion of Block 36.
Jeff O'Neill provided background information on the parking requirements. He noted that with the
60% rule if there is complete joint parking in the area, you would only need to supply 60% of the
required stalls. Using the 60% rule in this area would still leave a deficiency of 23 stalls. The
Planning Commission felt that there was enough overflow parking and municipal parking to allow
the parking deficiency to be handled without creating a huge hardship.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO APPROVE WAIVING DEVELOPER PAYMENT OF THE
$33,350 PARKING STALL DEFICIENCY ASSOCIATED WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF
THE NORTHERLY PORTION OF BLOCK 36 AND TRANSFER THE SAME AMOUNT
FROM GENERAL FUND TO THE PARKING DEVELOPMENT FUND ACCORDINGLY.
ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13A. Consideration of offer to purchase city owned land in Block 36.
The City owns a strip of land east of the Kopy building (the former senior citizens building) and
has recently received an offer to purchase the property for $15,000. In discussing whether or not
to sell the land, the Council discussed the proposed developments for this area and whether it
would be more conducive for development if the City retained the ownership of the land or if it
was held by private parties. Clint Herbst thought allowing an access at this site to the parking lot
was not a good idea. Roger Belsaas didn't see that the City would have any particular interest in
selling this until there was some plan for the overall area. Mike Cyr who is proposing a
development for the area felt that if the land was owned privately it might facilitate the
development of the block. Bruce Thielen felt that if selling the property would move development
along, the City should sell the parcel.
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Council Minutes - 8/13/01
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO MAKE A COUNTER OFFER TO SELL THE PROPERTY AT
$17,500 WITH THE CONTINGENCY THAT THE PARCEL WOULD NO LONGER BE USED
AS AN ACCESS TO BROADWAY AND THE SALE OF THE LAND WOULD BE TIED TO
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE TAKING PLACE. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. Consideration of accepting bids and awarding contract for 2001 Sealcoating Project.
Included in consent agenda. Res. No. 2001-57
15. Consideration of establishing date for budget workshop.
CLINT HERBST MOVED TO SET A BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING FOR AUGUST 27,
2001 AT 5:30 P.M. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
16. Consideration of bids for emergency generator for Chestnut Street lift station and
consideration of award of contract for delivery.
Included in consent agenda.
17. Consideration of bike park preliminary design layout and cost estimates.
Community Center Director, Kitty Baltos, presented information on a preliminary bike park
design. The facility was designed and built by TrueRide and is being displayed at the State Fair.
TrueRide would sell the ramps to the City for $45,123. Other costs to get the bike park
constructed would include the concrete work, lighting, fencing and site preparation. The total
estimated cost including the ramps is $82,873. Bruce Thielen asked if there had been any recent
contact with the individuals who had originally requested the City consider a bike park. Kitty
Baltos stated that she had just recently gotten the price information and prior to that she had
nothing in the way of information to submit to the group. Kitty Baltos also brought up the
additional insurance expense the City would incur if they constructed the bike park, which was
estimated at $7,800 in additional insurance premiums. Bruce Thielen pointed out that this would
be only facility like this in the area, as most of the other bike parks are located in the metro area, so
it should draw people from quite an area. The Council discussed storage of the ramps and whether
the Public Works staff would be able to do any portion of the work for the bike park considering
their present work load.
BRUCE THIELEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE RAMPS FROM
TRUERIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,123, STORE THEM FOR THE WINTER AND
DISCUSS AT THE BUDGET WORKSHOP ALLOCATING THE BALANCE OF THE BIKE
PARK CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR 2002. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Council Minutes - 8/13/01
Added Items:
Klein Farms Estates Third Addition - Bruce Thielen stated that he had received a complaint that the
landscaping plan for Klein Farms Estates Third Addition was not being followed and he asked staff about
this. Fred Patch stated there was some confusion as to what was the approved landscape plan. The city
staff has been working with the developer and there is a corrected landscape plan but there are still some
copies of the old plan out there and people are not being shown the correct information. The item in
question was a line of trees that was shown in the first plan that have never been planted. It was
suggested that may be City could get a good deal on trees in the spring and the developer could utilize
those in his landscape plan.
River Mill 61h - Clint Herbst indicated that he had resolved his questions with staff.
Chelsea Remnant Parcel - Rick Wolfsteller reported on a counter offer submitted by Dr. Erlandson on a
parcel of land owned by the City by Chelsea Road. The Council directed the City Administrator to send
Dr. Erlandson a letter stating the City was not accepting the counter offer and he had 30 days to respond to
the City's original price of $14,900.
18. Approve payment of bills for August.
CLINT HERBST MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR AUGUST. ROGER
CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
19. Adjourn.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:15 P.M. CLINT HERBST SECONDED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OCI-I
Recording Secretary
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